The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Election Commission of India (ECI) to change the format of the form filled by candidates for contesting the elections.

“The information regarding criminal matters pending must be mentioned in bold letter. Candidate of particular party must inform about his/her criminal antecedent to his party. The party must put out that information on the website,” the constitution bench of Justices comprising CJI Dipak Misra, Rohinton Fali Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra said.

During today’s hearing, the CJI Dipak Misra noted that “corruption leads to national terror and criminality of politics disrupts Constitution”.

“Although we cannot allow disqualification, we find it appropriate to pass following directions, as citizens have the right to know,” the CJI said.

The court was hearing a plea seeking to disqualify candidates contesting polls after court frames charges against them.

—India Legal Bureau